When comparing Reaper vs Sonar, the Slant community recommends Reaper for most people. In the question“What are the best DAWs?”Reaper is ranked 1st while Sonar is ranked 10th. The most important reason people chose Reaper is:

Reaper lets users change to different themes, supports the use of a wealth of (free) extensions and has a lot of options when it comes to rendering.

Specs

CompatibilityMac, Windows, 64-bit Linux (beta)

Included pluginsYes (also available as a separate free plugin package for both 32 and 64 bit on Windows)

Pros

Pro

Highly customizable

Reaper lets users change to different themes, supports the use of a wealth of (free) extensions and has a lot of options when it comes to rendering.

Pro

Constantly updated

Alongside generally quick pace of updates, Reaper developers pay very close attention to user feedback and are constantly adding features based on their requests so much so that some even consider it somewhat of a crowdsourced DAW.

Pro

Rarely crashes

Most DAWs have a tendency to crash constantly, reaper crashes very rarely.

Pro

Supports unlimited number of tracks with unlimited number of effects

There are no limits on amount of tracks and effects that those tracks can be equipped with.

Pro

Portable

Reaper is lightweight enough to be run off of a flash drive; the installer weights less than 20 MB and the portable installation option is included in it.

Pro

Auto-bridges 32-bit plugins in a 64-bit environment

When using a 64-bit installation of Reaper, all 32-bit plugins will still work alongside 64-bit plugins. On computers with an x86-64 CPU and an OS that supports multi-architecture, you can also run bridged 64-bit plugins on 32-bit Reaper.

Pro

Highly affordable

The Reaper DAW offers 2 licenses. A commercial license at $225 and a discounted one at $60. Both licenses give access to the complete DAW. The discounted license is for non profits, educational programs and personal use as long as yearly gross revenue does not exceed USD $20,000. There's even an indefinite free trial with no limitations for evaluation purposes.

Pro

Multi-level freezing

A freeze can be applied to a group, and then picked apart track by track.

Pro

Comes with ~300 free plugins

Pro

Simplified workflow

In Reaper, a track is a track is a track. There is no distinction among MIDI, stereo, mono, surround or any other tracks, and that means it's possible to put clips of all kinds on the same track. This approach makes the Reaper DAW seem a lot more intuitive than other DAWs.

Pro

Lua scripting can be done in the DAW with a built-in IDE

Pro

Free Reaplugs VST/VSTi bundle allows usage of the basic bundled like EQ's and comp plugins in any DAW

Pro

Easy to install

No complex activation shenanigans. No dongle and such.

Pro

Very low cpu usage

Reaper's will tailor itself to fit your computer's processing power by automatically using the "anticipative FX processing" feature.

Pro

Notation editor added recently

Pro

Supports ReWire

Pro

Huge community support

Pro

Multiple recording and playback formats

Records in WAV, AIFF, FLAC, WAVPACK, OGG and MP3.

Pro

DRM-free

Essentially shareware. After your 60-day free trial runs out, the program does not enforce the end of the trial period, and you may continue using the software for further evaluation or non-revenue generating purposes indefinitely. The only "DRM" is your conscience, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and the fact the program is awesome.

Pro

Tabbed projects

You can have open multiple projects via tabs at the top left and easily drag and drop clips, instruments and ideas between each project at ease.

Pro

Runs well on Wine in Linux

Pro

Application is extendable

The Application itself has no limitations. Once you understand it you can progress onto the better mastering and editing qualities then all other DAW applications.

Pro

Very full featured but basic recording and production can be learned and done in a few hours

Without prior experience with DAW, you can install Reaper, set up ASIO drivers, connect to your amp and mikes, get the hang of recording/re-recording tracks, and render an mp3 in just a few hours. You can accomplish the basics very fast.

Pro

Editing audio can be done on track

You don't have to go to a separate editor to edit audio files. You can work directly on the track, and drop/drag pieces to other tracks, sew them together. It's a fun sandbox and easy peasy.

Pro

Highly customizable UI

The Sonar DAW comes with a new and improved UI with extra focus on being customizable.

Pro

Powerful mixing including ProChannel

A Pro Channel ensures that you have all the necessary plugins in a really good mixing rack with console emulation for all busses and channels. This feels and sounds like a real mixing console.

Pro

Built in vocal comping and pitch correction

The Sonar DAW has some of the best pitch correction available, and it comes with the DAW.

Pro

New version just came out no more x series its Platinum Professional and Artist now

Lots of new features to separate them from the pack and put them in the lead again like when they were the very first DAW to go 64 bits. New model for purchasing the DAW means a purchaser can pay a monthly fee to use the DAW instead of having to buy it all upfront, so now you can try it for a month or 4 and if it does not work for you, dump it without having spent the full price to buy the whole thing.

Pro

Great bundled instruments

Pro

Includes Addictive Drums 2

Pro

Touch screen support

If your computer has a touch screen, use gestures to optimize your workflow.

Pro

Integrated SoundCloud and YouTube uploads

When you're done with a project, upload it straight to SoundCloud or YouTube from the Sonar DAW.

Pro

Integrated drum replacement

Pro

Includes Melodyne Essential via ARA

Pro

Session Templates

New projects can have the entire session defined from a template. Tracks, IO, folders routing, Etc

Pro

Very Frequent Updates

The last few years they have given updates with new features AND fixes nearly EVERY MONTH! great support, constant innovation.

Pro

Vocal Alignment tool

Pro

Add effects plugins to individual audio or MIDI clips

In addition to an effects rack and ProChannel effects that you can insert into each track, SONAR also allows you to insert effects plugins on individual audio or MIDI clips.

Using the non-destructive editing, you can easily cut one of those clips into smaller pieces if you'd like to apply an effect non-destructively to an individual note or musical phrase.

Pro

Track Folders

Group tracks in to folders to expand/collapse Solo Mute or Archive

Pro

Inexpensive

For under 200 USD, you get the full version of the DAW with all the bells and whistles, and free stuff that comes in the bundle you would not get from another DAW.

For less than 200 USD more, you get free updates for a lifetime. Any future updates with the SONAR Platinum DAW is free when you have this pass.

They have sold the SONAR Platinum DAW with the LIFETIME Pass key as a bundle from June 01, 2016-Aug 01, 2016. It's already over but who knows when it will comeback? The team from cakewalk are just generously full of surprises.

Pro

Highly flexible audio routing

In SONAR Platinum you can create an unlimited number of audio tracks, patch points, aux tracks and busses. Each track can send its output or an unlimited number of aux sends to any patch point or bus. A patch point can route to any number of aux tracks. Each aux track or bus can send its output or an unlimited number of sends to any other patch point or bus. (* A patch point is a destination where audio can be sent from any output or aux send, while an aux track is a track that receives its input from a patch point. This allows the track to be used similarly to a bus, with the additional flexibility of allowing multiple aux tracks to get their input from the same source point, and the organizational convenience of having the track alongside other tracks, instead of in the separate bus area.)

Pro

Inbuilt bridge

Includes inbuilt bridge allowing a 64-bit software to use a 32-bit plugin and vice versa without having to painstakingly use an external bridge to bridge the plugins. This will save one from bridging every new plugin that isn't compatible.

Cons

Con

Long drop down menus

There are many features that you'll find nested deep in the menu system, but it's really clunky. Everything is there but it's difficult to find. It's also really easy to accidentally click an option that you didn't intend.

Con

Lacks VSTis

Doesn't come with a wealth of VSTis. Plugins for things like piano, cello, guitar have to be found elsewhere. But is highly compatible with other providers of those products.

Con

No PFL metering

If you want to meter your input levels before your FX and volume fader, you'll need to insert a metering plugin as the first part of the chain, since there is no option for PFL metering.

Con

No native groove quantize feature

Straight quantization is available, but the Reaper 4 DAW is still missing groove integration. This feature can be made available with the free SWS extension.

Con

Midi drum editing not so fast or easy

Cubase has more features for creating and editing midi drum tracks.

Con

Windows only

This DAW isn't available on any operating system except for Windows. However, many Mac users operate the Sonar DAW in a dual boot environment.

Con

Gibson owned (they're almost Bankrupt, $500,000.00 in Debt)

Many feel with the "Lifetime" subscription, really hurt Cakewalk as there is no more monthly/yearly income. Most likely the IP will be sold as Gibson is in a bad financial situation (they owe about half a Billion $ due early next year) They are one of the all time "Great" guitar builders.

Con

Steep Learning Curve

This DAW has a bit of a learning curve, if you're new to DAW software, this may not be recommended for a beginner.